PGA Tour pro Billy Horschel: "We just sort of finally said enough is enough"

PGA Tour golfer Billy Horschel reportedly told the tournament director of the WM Phoenix Open players weren't going to tolerate unruly fan behaviour anymore. 

Horschel has been a regular at the PGA Tour's biggest party since he turned professional in 2009 but in recent years the event at TPC Scottsdale has been getting somewhat of a black eye. 

Arizona Police arrested 54 people last year as security was stretched to the limit to keep an increasingly inebriated crowd under control. 

One woman fell from the bleachers. Another fan ran shirtless onto the famed 16th hole, stopping to make a snow angel in the greenside bunker. 

Videos emerged of fights breaking out and drunk spectators wetting themselves. 

Elsewhere, at least two players were subjected to verbal abuse. Horschel was filmed in an explosive exchange with one spectator. 

Zach Johnson, too, wasn't happy after he was reportedly taunted about what transpired at the 2023 Ryder Cup. 

Horschel told Golfweek he spoke to tournament director Chance Cozby about what needs to change. 

"I said, I love this event. I love the golf course. I love playing in front of fans. I love a little banter back and forth, and I have no problem with that, but there gets a point where it crosses a line, and it's crossed the line a little bit the last couple years," Horschel said. 

"And I said, 'Chance we just need to rein it in a little bit.'"

The WM Phoenix Open is run by The Thunderbirds. 

Changes have been made but it remains to be seen how effective they are.

Those include a new entrance by the 18th green, a digital-only ticketing system, expanded walkways and venue upgrades.

There will also be a 'zero-tolerance policy' to unruly behaviour. 

Horschel added: "The Thunderbirds are a great organization, and I didn't want them to start getting a black eye for the way the event was being seen from the players perspective.

"The last couple years just got a little bit out of hand. Fan behaviour in some instances was crossing the line where I was concerned that those guys that do enjoy playing here may have not come back in the future, and that's not what you want. 

"People were coming out and thinking they can just say whatever they want on any hole, and they think that's what the golf tournament's about. 

"As players, we just sort of finally said enough is enough, and we expressed our frustration a little bit more."

The 2025 WM Phoenix Open begins on Thursday. 

Scottie Scheffler is the overwhelming favourite to land his 14th PGA Tour title.

World No.2 Xander Schauffele is still out of action as he continues his rehab from a rib injury. 

Viktor Hovland was in the field but he withdrew last week, citing no reason. 

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